Searcy County Arkansas Landlord-Tenant Law: The Buffalo National River, Gilbert (the World’s Smallest Sister City), the Kenda Drive-In, and What Every Landlord Needs to Know
Searcy County, formed on December 13, 1838, from a portion of Marion County and named for Richard Searcy — the first clerk and judge in the Arkansas Territory — occupies one of the most scenically spectacular and economically challenging corners of the state. Its 669 square miles lie almost entirely within the Boston Mountains and Springfield Plateau sections of the Ozark Plateau, bisected by the Buffalo River as it winds northeast through enormous limestone bluffs toward the White River. The county seat is Marshall, the commercial and governmental hub, on U.S. Highway 65; other communities include Leslie, St. Joe, Pindall, Gilbert, Witts Springs, and Snowball. The city of Searcy, Arkansas — some 70 miles away — shares the name of Richard Searcy but was never part of Searcy County.
The Buffalo National River and Gilbert
America’s first national river — designated by President Nixon on March 1, 1972, the same day he signed the legislation creating Newton County’s Buffalo National River — flows through both Newton and Searcy counties, drawing 1.5 to 1.6 million visitors per year to the region and generating tens of millions of dollars in economic activity. In 2019, the Buffalo National River became Arkansas’s first International Dark Sky Park, recognized for its exceptionally low light pollution. The town of Gilbert, situated on the north bank of the Buffalo where the Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad once crossed, is celebrated as the “Coolest Town in Arkansas” and holds the distinction of being the world’s smallest sister city — paired with a similarly tiny community abroad as part of an international friendship program. The Gilbert General Store, built in 1901 by “Uncle” Billy Mays, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the last of its kind in the Ozarks.
The 1889 Sandstone Courthouse and the Kenda Drive-In
The Searcy County Courthouse in Marshall, built in 1889 from native sandstone, is one of the oldest courthouses in Arkansas and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The stone masons who built it — Jim Eatherly, Tom Treadwell, T.J. Thomas, and others — created a structure that has served county government for more than 135 years. Eviction filings for Searcy County properties are made here. Marshall also hosts the Kenda Drive-In, opened in April 1966 by Kenneth and Marilyn Sanders, which holds the distinction of being the only year-round operating drive-in movie theater in all of Arkansas. The drive-in hosts movies, vintage car nights, and live music and has become a cultural landmark for the region.
A Persistently Republican County
Along with neighboring Newton County, Searcy County is one of only two Arkansas counties that remained consistently Republican during the overwhelmingly Democratic “Solid South” era. This unusual political pattern stemmed from the county’s mountain topography: the Ozark soils were too poor for cotton plantation agriculture, so slavery was minimal, and many residents supported the Union during the Civil War. Searcy and Newton were the only two Arkansas counties carried by Alf Landon in 1936, Wendell Willkie in 1940, and Calvin Coolidge in 1924. Since 1980, the county has voted Republican in virtually every presidential, gubernatorial, and congressional election.
Arkansas Landlord-Tenant Law in Searcy County
All residential rental relationships in Searcy County are governed by statewide Arkansas law. There is no local rent control — state law preempts any county or municipal rent control ordinance. For nonpayment, serve a 3-day written notice to vacate after rent is at least 5 days past due, then file an Unlawful Detainer complaint with Circuit Clerk Cassy Ward, P.O. Box 998, Marshall, AR 72650, (870) 448-3807. For lease violations, serve a 14-day notice to cure. Month-to-month tenancies require 30 days’ written notice to terminate. Security deposits are capped at two months’ rent for landlords with six or more units, returned with written itemized deductions within 60 days. No implied warranty of habitability by default; no repair-and-deduct remedy; self-help evictions are prohibited. Searcy County remains a dry county — alcohol sales are prohibited within its borders.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Arkansas attorney for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: March 2026.
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